I don’t know why but I’ve been ridiculously excited for dinner all day long. Like stupid excited. And for what – a cheeseburger?
Fact. A juicy, All-American Cheeseburger!
Because sometimes it’s the simple things in life that are the most pleasurable.
Hot peanut butter toast.
Cold cucumber slices drizzled with Italian dressing.
Fresh bread smeared with butter.
Peach slices dusted with powdered sugar.
Peanut butter spoons (occasionally studded with chocolate chips – try it.)
Simply seasoned burger patty topped with melted cheese & cold ketchup.
See I was originally going to make this fancy burger with mint, cumin, cinnamon and the works tonight, but the season’s newly arrived heat wave had me feeling a bit nostalgic for a simple summer staple – the classic cheeseburger.
So that’s what I made. I seasoned 1lb of 90/10 ground beef with Worcestershire sauce, pepper and garlic salt, then formed it into 4 patties.
Then I sent them to meet their maker – a fiery–hot grill.
Just a couple minutes on each side, followed by a brief swing on the top rack to melt a slice of American cheese, and these babies were good as gold.
While the burgers cooked, I threw a bunch of trimmed asparagus spears on the grates next door and rolled them every so often ’til they were charred and soft.
No oil or anything extra needed.
Once my burgers were smothered in the warm embrace of melted cheese,
It was toppin’ time.
Cold ketchup, a snappy pickle and a soft, sesame-seed bun.
I couldn’t help but smile when I squished the lid on top. The whole thing reminds me a slobbering puppy dog wagging its tail, and as Ben so eloquently put it "There’s nothing that beats a classic-ass burger." Well said my friend. ;)
The fresh corn-off-the-cob sautéed for 1 minute in a pat of butter and sprinkle of salt & pepper certainly threw itself into the ring as a worthy competitor though. Sweet & crispy. I am so deliriously happy that I have a whole summer of this to look forward to!
Complimented so nicely by the charred asparagus. :)
SO glad I went the simple route tonight – this was just what I was craving!
In other news, I am the proud new owner of a…
ROAD BIKE!!!!!
The handle bars are a bit chewed up,
the seat has seen better days,
and the tires are cracking ever so slightly.
But the pedals go ’round,
the frame is sturdy,
and I got it for the eye-popping price of $25. $25!!! 8O
I am telling you – the universe wanted me to have this bike. Just yesterday I decided that I needed to spend more time on two wheels – for fun, for running errands and for overall fitness – but felt like the heavy mountain bike I currently own is too heavy and clunky to go very far in.
Last night I looked on Craigslist for a womens 48-52′ road bike for sale, and there was nothing to be found. Well, nothing under $1,000, anyways!
Imagine my complete and utter delight when I found out my work was having an employee garage sale TODAY, and the first thing I stumbled upon was THIS BIKE. It’s the exact size frame I need, brakes and gears check out fine and it’s just in need of a few cosmetic upgrades. I couldn’t believe my luck!
I cannot wait to hit the…
Tonight I’m hitting the open road on two feet with Ben. We’re workin’ for our dessert – a 2 mile walk to get ice cream, then back.
Suh-mah, suh-mah, suh-mah-ti-iiiime!
~~~~~
What are your favorite "simple pleasure" foods?
Cast your vote for favorite cold summertime sweet treat: Sherbert, ice cream or custard?
Custard for sure! Although I can’t eat too much because I think I’m lactose sensitive.
Good find on the bike, just in time for summer!
ice cream! but i love sherbert as well!
i don’t think i’ve ever craved a good burger more than right now.
OMG – awesome dinner. . . I will HAVE to re-create that in house soon. I miss all the fresh corn on the cob from when I lived in Des Moines (went to school at DMU and lived in West Des Moines. .. now I live back in MN). Ice cream will always get my vote.
Your classic burger has me craving one of my own!
Love the bike! I used to always want a bike when I was younger with the curly handle bars :)
That, my friend, is an iconic summer meal! Everything looks divine, as always. :)
I’m weird, I’m not a fan of ice cream, sherbet, or custard…but it’s okay, I was aware of my weirdness before this post. =)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your ‘new’ bike! I see nothing wrong with a little recycling and there is no reason to fork over $1000+ for a bike unless you’re filthy rich or are serious into the whole biking thing (not trying to knock those serious bikers).
I have an OLD Diamondback Mountainbike that is about 500 pounds. We are close to hitting the road as full-time bums (early, early retirement) and I fear I will have to say good-bye to ‘him’ and opt for a mini or fold up bike suitable for RVing.
Pedal on!!
YOU are having the *perfect* summer evening! Burgers on the grill followed by a walk and ice cream? Yes, please! Sitting on the deck sipping a cold beer or a good glass of wine is probably my favorite simple pleasure, followed by laying by the pool and reading a magazine, eating outside, the sound an apple makes when you bite into it–you know the one I mean. The BEST!
I had nearly the same dinner last night (except mine was a veggie burger) but it was still so amazing! There is NOTHING like a grilled burger in the summer. Love.
Seeing your question made me giggle because “sherbert” is actually spelled sherbet, but no one I have ever known pronounces it the way it is spelled, but rather with the r as you have spelled it, including me. My husband on the other hand is so anal about it and always corrects me when I say sherbert and annoyingly pronounces it sherbet, like it’s spelled.
Not to be completely off topic it just made me think of that haha, but custard would be my pick!!
Ahhhahaha, you’re totally right, and I even knew better, having grown up eating orange SHERBET like every night. Thanks for the reminder :)
Looks delicious. I’m thinking I will get a grill soon!!!
Frozen yogurt for sure!!! Nothing beats a good burger, agreed. We’re having them tomorrow night too :)
Ice cream all the way!
Ahhhh, I’m so jealous of your bike! I have been watching Craigslist too and refuse to pay a ton of money for a bike! I just want it to ride around – like you! I’m thinking I will hit the garage sales this summer and see if I can score a deal like that!
I had burgers tonight too, but they were salmon patties! I forgot out much I love salmon patties and am so glad I made extra for leftovers! I’m thinking broken up over a salad for lunch tomorrow? Mmmm, yum!
Another great alternative for a used bike if you are in Central Iowa:
http://www.dsmbikecollective.org/home Reconditioned bikes from $40-$120.
Great organization.
Ice cream, peaches, and watermelon are my fav summertime simple pleasures!
Enjoy your new bike!!!!
ice cream 42384728626%!
Always for ice cream. We got a new frozen yogurt place here, though, and I’m kind of in love with it. So torn.
Enjoy your evening!
Oh wow – I am now officially craving a burger! But red onion is a must on mine!
Great deal on the bike! We love to ride around town running errands on bikes if we are able.
yum! i love custard. reminds me of home… :)
Congrats on the new bike! I just bought from a friend my first road bike and I LOVE it. Just wait until you see how fast you go.
Ps I’m an ice cream girl all the way!!! I love me some Dairy Queen!
i love ice cream but it doesn’t love me. i laid out in the hot sun today and was SO craving a red popsicle! gotta put that on my grocery list! i love your list of simple pleasure foods, and would add fresh corn on the cob, home grown tomatoes & Miracle Whip on Wonder bread, bacon, bologna & mustard sandwichs, Nilla Wafers, and macaroni & tomatoes which my mom makes.
Fresh sweet corn tops the list of summer foods. There’s just nothing better. Although I’m quite fond of all fresh produce — cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash — which seems to taste a little better in the summer. Oh, and one of my favorite beers — Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy — usually makes it into the stores only for the warmer months too. :)
THat bike looks awesome! You’ll be cruisin’ around in no time (after a few fixes). Very exciting! Love the old classic bikes. And that burger, yum. I’ve been craving them lately like whoa!
I am new here and I just love the photos that you show with your posts!! Anyway, I am just a plain and simple chocolate girl, that is my simple pleasure food. I have yet to find something to replace it. Those hamburger photos have left me starving! So delish!!
That burger looks out-of-this-world amazing!A classic PB&J is still my plainest go to meal,or just some french fries with ketchup.
I really really love frozen yogurt,but of the 3 choices you gave,ice cream would be my pick.
YUM! You should try adding champagne mustard to your corn. I had it last summer on my corn on the cob and I have not been able to eat corn without it since!
Love the bike. You should put a basket on the front and back to look like the European traveler that you are :) Or you could put fun pink and white kid tassles at the ends of the handle bars!!
That looks like the perfect burger! Seriously! I love grilled asparagus! It’s so great! :)
Hands down, my vote goes for ice cream! There is nothing like a bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day :)
Love the simple things in life! Vanilla icecream with the specks (real deal), fresh corn on the cob (that always gets stuck in your teeth), fresh lemonade…
And ice cream!!!!! Gotta love ice cream in the summer.
GELATO!
I am a Sherbert gal!! Nothing beats that with some fresh fruit on top :) Have fun on the bike– that was a steal!
That grilled asparagus and the fresh corn look fantastic. Even though I’m a vegetarian, your burger even looks tasty! go figure!
Totally ice cream! Though I’m loving frozen yogurt lately — there is a local place that’s serve-yourself and has a toppings bar that’s practically a mile long. Fruit? Check. Normal and miniature gummy bears? Check. Brownie bites, cheesecake bites, and cookie dough bites? Check, check, and check!
Also, if my future in-laws become annoyed with me this weekend, I’m going to casually blame you and this post with that classic cheeseburger :) I’ve been wanting to go to a new burger place called Burgatory (http://www.burgatorybar.com/), and have mentioned it at least 3 times in the week leading up to their visit. Fingers crossed that we make it there!!
Used to be ice cream – but these days I have been really digg’en Sherbert, raspberry or orange. Mmmm!!!!
Great bike, get some new handlebar covers, you don’t want to use those sweaty old ones and get a BASKET!!!
Love my old bike, rust and all and I LOVE my BASKET!!!
Your bike is so cute! Congrats… you’re going to have so much fun riding it.
I would also HAVE to agree with the simple pleasures in having a nice juicy cheeseburger. I think women just need the iron sometimes too.
haha this bike is amazing. really just amazing. not sure if the bike is more amazing or the cheeseburger.
Ice cream, definitley, although we’ve recently fallen in love with Gelato and FroYo also. Good luck with the bike! I bought my first road bike (2nd hand) a year ago and have just started using it regularly on the country roads near my home. I’ve gotten up to 30 miles so far. My husband and I really enjoy going for a ride together, it’s great exercise, and a big contributor (I think) to my finally losing a few pounds. I do wish that there were more options to ride to the store where I live, but it mostly invovles getting on a highway or Interstate, and that’s just not feasible!
1. I love orange SHERBERT. And I get angry when people pronounce the word correctly. Sherbert. Always include the R.
2. Lately I’ve been craving soft serve. So good. Milkshakes are delicious as well.
3. Love the bike. The handlebars add some character. Enjoy it!
I LOOOOOVE cheeseburgers! Homemade on the grill are the best, yum. Now I want one right now hehe.
I think I’m voting ice cream… although custard is pretty good too. Let’s face it, I’m voting yes to any frozen treat :)
Nice Road bike!! I love how it’s so vintage-y.
As a Des Moinesian….I love ice cream AND custard. I grew up going to Granny’s on the East Side. Discovered Classic Frozen Custard in college. And now live in Beaverdale…Snookies!!
so many delicious desserts in this town. :)
I am not a hamburger kind of girl usually, but these pictures seriously gave me a craving for a cheeseburger!!
My fave bike is a girls Schwinn Tourister one-speed with skinny 27″ wheels. It freakin’ flies and cost only $20, so there! I never ride that clunky, worthless Giant mountain bike my dipshit ex gave me.
I know you’re diligent about logging your exercise minutes, but now that you have a bike, you should check out this new biking program for Iowans. It’s called “Iowa Goes By Bicycle” and it’s super simple. You just log your minutes and number of sessions/trips each week.
http://www.iowagoesbybicycle.com/
I’m my company’s team captain and it’s so cool — 12 of us have already logged 50 hours last month!
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